Which brain structure is associated with the experience of disgust?

The insula is the brain structure primarily associated with the experience of disgust. This region is involved in the processing of diverse sensations and emotions, particularly those related to visceral feelings. It plays a key role in interoceptive awareness, which is the perception of internal body states. When we experience disgust—whether from something we taste, see, or even think about—the insula activates, signaling a negative response to potential threats or harmful stimuli.

Research has shown that damage to the insula can impair the ability to recognize and react to disgust, further underscoring its critical role in this emotional response. In contrast, structures like the hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala have different specialized functions related to memory processing, sensory relay, and emotional responses, respectively, but do not specifically handle the nuanced emotional experience of disgust in the way the insula does.